Biweekly Mortgage Payments: Myth vs. Math

Q: Does biweekly always save money?

Yes, if one extra monthly payment per year is applied to principal. Starting earlier increases savings.

Q: Is true biweekly better than DIY?

They're similar; true biweekly can save slightly more but the main driver is the extra annual payment.

Q: Can I stop the extra payments later?

Yes. DIY gives you flexibility to pause extras when needed.

The pitch: make half your payment every two weeks and save a fortune. The reality: it’s just one extra monthly payment a year—still powerful, but you don’t need a paid plan to do it.

What Is a Biweekly Mortgage Payment?

You pay half your monthly amount every two weeks. Because there are 52 weeks in a year, that’s 26 half-payments—equal to 13 full monthly payments. The extra goes straight to principal, which shortens the loan and cuts interest.

Bottom line: You don’t need a special program. You can DIY by making one extra monthly payment per year, or by adding 1/12 of your monthly payment as extra principal each month.

Myth vs. Math

Myth: “Biweekly changes how interest accrues.”

Reality: Most loans accrue interest daily but are billed monthly. The savings largely come from paying more principal per year, not a special interest formula.

Myth: “You must enroll in a paid service.”

Reality: DIY works: schedule one extra payment per year or add 1/12 each month. Paid services can be fine, but fees often eat into the benefit.

Biweekly vs Monthly: Savings Calculator

Compare standard monthly vs “biweekly” (DIY extra)

Loan amount

Interest rate (APR, %)

Term (years)

Biweekly method

Start extra from month #

Currency symbol

—

Assumptions: “DIY” models one extra full monthly payment per year by adding 1/12 of the monthly payment as principal each month (from the start month you choose). “True biweekly” uses 26 periods/year and a per-period rate of APR/26.

Break-Even: Paid Biweekly Plan Fees

Is a paid biweekly service worth it?

One-time setup fee

Per-payment fee (biweekly)

Compare vs

—

We estimate the total interest saved vs standard monthly and compare it to fees: setup + per-payment × number of biweekly payments until payoff. If fees exceed savings, skip the plan and DIY.

Quick Tips (DIY the smart way)

Automate a monthly extra principal = 1/12 of your payment, starting next month.
Make sure your servicer applies it to principal only (not “next month’s payment”).
If cash flow is uneven, a single extra full payment once a year is equivalent.
Avoid paid plans if they charge meaningful fees — they often replicate what you can do free.

Planning other money moves?
Use Invorya’s mortgage & currency tools.
Open Finance Toolkit

FAQs

Does biweekly always save money?

Yes, if you truly pay the equivalent of one extra monthly payment per year and it’s applied to principal. The rate/term and how early you start determine the savings.

Is “true biweekly” better than DIY?

They’re similar. True biweekly can save slightly more because principal drops a bit earlier each period, but the main driver is the extra payment each year.

Can I stop the extra payments later?

Yes. It’s flexible if you DIY—just pause the extra principal when cash is tight.